How to tune your violin or viola the right way

Master Violin maker Olaf Grawert shares the right way to tune your instrument.
Insider secrets and stories from the Master Violinmaker and restorer
Website:
www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
Social:
/ olafgrawertviolinstudio
/ olafgrawertviolinstudi...

[@Claushanga]

A teacher I had one time told me to tune up and then lower it because that way it stays tuned longer...I guess it wasn't true lol

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yeah... there's just a higher risk of breaking strings..

[@diffraction163]

i guess he hold it the other way around

[@elvisduck4014]

I know guitarists who do that. New strings tend to stretch and lose tone over time, so the idea is to stretch the string. The danger though is it is very easy to break the high strings.

[@ingathornell1443]

I was told that too, tune sharp and then adjust. Good to know the right way to do it.

[@joestevenson5568]

Thats what we guitarists do with new strings to settle them in faster. Makes no difference with old strings. It helps that guitar tuning machines aren’t comically outdated like violin pegs so we’re unlikely to break anything doing it though.

[@geoffroymb]

I love the inclusive « viola friendly » title :)

[@mellissadalby1402]

I like the different characters that Olaf sometimes does in these videos. I have used Olaf's bridge adjustment process several times. It works perfectly. As Olaf points out in other videos, if you pegs are sticky, they make it much harder to tune. He shows how to apply tuning peg paste (W.E. Hill peg paste is a great choice).

[@ScottRedstone]

Fascinating. Don’t play but now interested to try tuning one. Who knows where it may lead. Found you through Breddy.

[@MeticulousMuffin]

Graphite under the strings as a dry lubricant = BRILLIANT Thanks, Olaf!

[@lykaclairebriones6561]

Was learning the violin before.. theres no app for tuning.. and no youtube teacher! Let me grab my untouched violin for years! Thank you Mr. Olaf!

[@WatchOnYT]

He's basically saying "use an app unless you're Eddy".

[@MollyMalone1983]

No, if you have relative pitch, you can use a tuning fork :D I use an app as well for the A, but I was taught very early on to listen for that "clear singing" sound you get with a perfect fifth. Once you know what you're looking (listening) for it's actually quite easy.

[@peterrischel2493]

@@MollyMalone1983 which of the strings are there a perfect fifth between? I thought a perfect fifth is 7 semitones, but I don't know that any of the strings have that interval... Help please, I want to learn better ear listen thing (hørelære it's called in my language, don't know the English term), but I don't even know what the intervals are called haha

[@joestevenson5568]

@@peterrischel2493 all of them. Each string is a perfect fifth higher than the last, and a the same amount lower than the next.

[@jeremiah3355]

First time I've seen a Viola Friendly comment section in a video about the Violin and Viola

[@Taran858]

Came over here to see if ever get a 'God Pillar' test. Lot of quality videos can checkout in the meantime.

[@brunolopesbarbosa9218]

wanna see it too

[@JammyGit]

"Always tune from below" - That's why, dear chap, it's called tuning UP 😎👍

[@jasminejackson4035]

About to start playing a violin again after years and years of not playing this video will be helpful thank you

[@anthonyandino6069]

I just got some geared pegs professionally installed into my violin. The Perfection Pegs made my violin playing experience a whooooole lot better.. and made the tuning process practically effortless. I didn't even touch the 2 fine tuners on my violin. I love geared violin pegs

[@MatthewWaltonWalton]

It's always interesting when I realise how many people play regularly and have tuition and don't know how to tune their instrument. It's a pretty critical and fundamental skill and it's not really all that hard to learn. I didn't have a choice - I started strings on the viola da gamba, and my first (borrowed) bass had six gut strings which are not noted for their stability! I would love to try those geared pegs on my fiddle though.

[@ecoria-x9113]

Thank you for another perfect video Olaf, had been looking for tuning advice. My violin keeps going out of tune, as in, a LOT - and I've come to the sad realisation that it was simply too cheap. A hard lesson learned

[@amandas.6500]

Hi Olaf! I was inspired by TwoSet Violin, & decided to learn how to play. Im so glad you have a channel too! Who knew tuning would be so hard? Thank you!

[@airleamystery4788]

The wigs get me every single time lol

[@Masivigny]

Love your videos Olaf! Keep them coming! Give some love to the cello and bows soon :)

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you @Masivigny... Yes, you are right... Cellos need love too... and lots to talk about for bows... It's on the cards. So many video ideas, so little time 😀

[@10kmilesy]

Those fifths give me vibes!

[@jewelgarland]

Thank you Olaf, some teachers don't teach students to tune capably, that's a basic skill if you are going to play strings and don't want other musicians to hate you. If a tuning fork and standard pegs and tuners are too much for you, get an electric tuner and perfection pegs, just do it...pretty please. Tip: don't drink and tune, pops the E string every time.

[@LeaPar4]

“Sounds like a baroque viola”

[@hanslueschen5190]

I really enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@leighsir]

Thanks for your video. It is very helpfull taking us right around the whole instrument, I have learnt a great deal and feel confidant i can get my viola going now. And you have a lovely personality which is refreshing to see in youtube these days. Bravo Olaf.

[@GaryGP40]

Another great and super informative video, Master Olaf, thank you! It's been many years since I restrung a violin/viola, and your videos and information are always top notch and full of superb information. I learned so much I never knew just in this less than 15 minutes. Amazing stuff, as always. Thank you for sharing this and ALL your wonderful videos and knowledge. It's much appreciate the world over!

[@hrobert745]

Thanks, very helpful, especially the tricks at the end.

[@pagophilus]

And if you have a nyckelharpa like me you tune the first string, then the second, check the first, retune the first because it will be out, then check the second, tune the third, retune the first two, check the third, time the fourth, retune the first three, check the fourth, then tune all 12 sympathetic strings, then go through the process again because the melody strings will be out after tuning the sympathetics. Depending on how long you haven't tuned it you may need to do this 3 or 4 times. That's how much tension there is in the instrument.

[@tammylaronde8593]

Great video! I've learned so much already. Thank you. 😁

[@junalmarines9342]

I got myself a vintage violin and as a beginner im looking for a video tutorials, and i found your channel, first i didn't subscribe but what changed my mind is that you have coffee flowing through you veins i reallized that we have something in common i immediately hit the subscribe button and hit the notification bell to notify me on your next coffee sip.cheer!!! Thanks for making this videos 👍☕

[@vijaymitkar764]

Beautiful guidance for violin strings tuning

[@kevincecchini368]

My fine tuner A screw on my Viola is very tight, so Vaseline works, good deal

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Brilliant... I'm glad that helped

[@dragonzuelo2208]

This is exactly what I needed, thank you! :D

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Glad I could help

[@SoFarSoBook]

Thank you!

[@tonyschram1260]

Great video, thanks👍

[@sorrenblitz805]

The pencil thing is a guitar trick too, especially for guitarist who use the Whammy bar a lot, but we put the pencil in the nut.

[@markchadwick77]

Thanks for the videos. Suggestion: if you mention a different video during the conversation, put a link to it in the description.

[@airsetsuna1162]

Great video

[@scotisland]

Great info.

[@martinlacey4575]

thanks olaf,

[@joshuaC.]

Really appreciate the small heifetz clip at the start of the vid

[@williequinlan4946]

Thank you

[@nicholasr-m1631]

the cloud of rosin at 7:36 lmao

[@heleenabatts9413]

Fabulous

[@Quintilllius]

7:37 oof that rosin dust Good video though, thanks for this channel! I love it.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Machine head tuners ought to make that alot easier & luckily they make them for Violin/Viola/Cello (they might also work on a Lute, and even Viola D'amore).

[@BigCarmine]

I like to use the same strobe tuner that is use for intonating guitars when i do a set up.

[@tobinjordan8044]

Thanks, Ling Ling would approve

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

I am glad! Ling Ling scares me a bit

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

It is easy to tune it. I don't use fine tuners on the G or D string. I only use them for the A and E strings. I have only been playing violin for 15 months.

[@AmandaViolinGirl]

On my most expensive violin I have got a tailpiece with 4 built in fine tuners but I took the screws out of the G and D strings.

[@brattingprincess]

ha... took me 7 or 9 years to learn to tune. Can't remember

[@tonimcguire8588]

Is it possible to train your ears to relative pitch? I’ve heard that perfect pitch isn’t something that can be taught. I have found that over the years and especially during coved and online lessons, my ears have improved so that when I play I hear my intonation issues and when my students play I can hear their intonation issues. I’ve also noticed that my students don’t seem to have the same improvement in their ears or perhaps it is that they just aren’t as picky about intonation. (That I don’t know) Love your videos Olaf. I recommend them to my own violin students when they ask about how to care and properly care for their instruments. Thank you for doing them!

[@pagophilus]

But if you start tuning a viola on the A and proceed down, tuning by harmonics, your C string will be noticeably flat compared to equal tempered (eg piano) C.

[@dynamiceq7215]

Special request: When talking with my luthier about sound post adjustment we had a issue with terminology on what I wished the instrument to sound like. The problem is that I don't know the vocabulary that I need to properly describe it. This was decided during our consultation. Would you please create a cheat sheet for fiddlers (I am of English background...) can communicate and get the best out of our instruments. This would be helpful for both fiddlers and luthiers. I know from past experience that the instrument in question can sound much better, but don't know how to describe what I want different. This guy is very good at setup.

[@edwither8284]

Any videos on the double bass?

[@catalinciobanu9004]

What is the name of the intro pice I really like it and want to play it too Nice Videos 👌👍you are amagasin

[@zackittup]

Can you speak about the use of fine tuners and how they impact the sound? How many is too many?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi Zack, Fine tuners add weight to the tailpiece, so more than one will dampen the sound. If you need more than one fine tuner, I would reccomend a good finetuning tailpiece, like the Whittner ultralight. It's made of composite and weighs about the same as a wood tailpiece with one finetuner.

[@brattingprincess]

Ask Olaf the Violinmaker so that's why pro instruments only have one fine tuner

[@neilcam]

One of these days I WILL be able to tune by ear/fork..... I hope. I'm relatively lucky in the sense that once my strings have settled in the viola stays pretty well in tune (baring dramatic temperature or humidity changes).

[@jakegearhart]

The key is to listen to the "beating" sound that is created out of tune intervals. It's really easy to tune once you're aware of what you're listening for. www.szynalski.com/tone-generator/ Open this site in two tabs on your browser, keep one at the default 440Hz and put one at 660Hz (click the number to change it). Then you can use the arrows to slightly detune either one and you'll be able to hear a "wahwahwah" noise. When you don't hear this noise at all, the interval (or the strings for an instrument in this case) are in tune.

[@brattingprincess]

Yep pretty much if you play daily!

[@happyhonker123]

I'm curious as to the reason why the string should touch the side of the peg box since I've always gone out of my way to avoid touching. Happy to learn something new.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

It pulls the peg inwards, so it doesn't slip out

[@carolineleiden]

I sing the fifths downward from E and I check if the strings are what I sing. Problem is: I need an E from somebody or they'll end up wrong. Solution lies partly in listening to the sounds. If the sound is real nice and open and singy, they're good.

[@joestevenson5568]

If you’re playing just to practice you only need to be in tune with yourself!

[@eps4560]

What brand tuning fork do you use? / trust Some are not manufactured well to be perfect 440hz.

[@helenalvarez9693]

what tuning app would you suggest in App Store and Google play?

[@katewebber1131]

Gonna get me one of those head mops so I maybe ❤ I can play better. ❤ love this just got my violin out after years. Omg so baaaaad. But now sbsrbd and will follow.

[@FreyasArts]

I've been watching my teacher tune my cello in the first lesson and have been doing it myself ever since. Though I've only been using the fine tuners. My cello seldomly gets that much out of tune that I would need to use the pegs. But it's like my teacher can sense it when it is way out of tune and before I can even touch the strings he's next to me, tuning it for me xD

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hmmm... yes, that can happen... You might have to do a sneaky tune away from your teacher. It's such a good skill to have.

[@kevincecchini368]

So for a Viola, tune the same way, 1st check the bridge - mine was way out of square - then A, D, check A, G, Check A & D, then C, check A & D & G?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Exactly...

[@ninabiondi5026]

How do you fix pegs that are too loose/don’t hold their tightened position when tuning?

[@ralphhennen5769]

My cello pegs constantly slip. I calk them which works for a while then they slip again. I was thinking to run steel wool over the contact areas. Any other suggestion? Thanks

[@anthonyzbikowski529]

I had the Wittner pegs installed a year or so back on my viola and man is it just so much easier. Sucks when changing strings but a guitar string winder makes that better. SO, MUCH, EASIER. Left the fine tuner on the A. The few grams difference on a 16.5" viola are completely unnoticeable. My violin has those god-awful Caspari tuners on it and it's not worth rebushing the pegbox on the thing.

[@justinlim7074]

What is the name of the piece you used for the introduction

[@umm3600]

I WANT TO KNOW THAT TOOOO!!!

[@sheeb2855]

My A string fine tuner is in all the way and the peg isn’t moving. It’s in between an A and Ab and Idk how to fix it :(

[@brattingprincess]

You need to tune DOWN the peg and then try figgling it to go up beyond current position to an A#. Keep finagling until the app says yes 440 you have an A.

[@sheeb2855]

Diana Lee this was a month ago and have since fixed it but I’ll definitely keep this in mind if it happens again!

[@rafaelernestorosabal8734]

I HATE PEGS!!! Either they get stuck or they just go wheee...I've tried everything soap, artificial tears, crayolas, lead pencil etc etc They are never easy even after a trip to the luthier!🙁 Thanks for the tips!!

[@bily4566]

How much for master set up on violin

[@jamesbarros950]

Olaf: "never go to high" me: "oh no!" Olaf: "If it's a semitone, that's probably not to bad" me: quits freaking out about going a few cents high.

[@fredjensen1683]

G string trouble...Octave too low? how do you know.

[@silas3651]

I am a new fans， I wonder if Olaf can play the violin?

[@qtheplatypus]

Silas he can

[@silas3651]

? the Platypus thx

[@vadaing394]

my former teacher told me to put chalk on the pegs because the pegs were not staying in place, is it ok to do that?

[@antoinek7004]

whats the tuning app called?

[@Kepatsuqueenofbrawl]

Violin tuner

[@bridgetdonovan3290]

I’m having a problem. I haven’t played in a while, and so I’m trying to tune my violin to mess around, but when i try and turn the peg on my G string, the peg just goes back down, and it loses the note, I’ll try this vid for help yk

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Check my video on changing strings... the peg might just be loose.

[@Cediekuuun]

Would my strings be damaged if I have left it very loose after a long time?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Strings corrode after a while, but won't get any extra damage from being loosened

[@Cediekuuun]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank you Olaf, hope to see more of you with your channel and with TwoSet!!

[@brattingprincess]

Ask Olaf the Violinmaker I've always wondered if they're indefinitely viable if left in a plastic (not vacuum sealed) string tube or if the paper packaging is best. Because I have on some occasions destroyed strings by tuning esp E or I find it snapped cuz they need to be changed I always carry a full set on hand. Half are in their original packaging while half are in the string tube.

[@Ember_Prime]

I’m having a bit to trouble tuning because my pegs don’t move right. They stick in place and are very hard to move, even after I loosen them up. How do I fix the problem?

[@brattingprincess]

peg paste.

[@faclonx6275]

@@brattingprincess one of my strings broke while doing it with the pegs

[@brattingprincess]

@@faclonx6275 broke where exactly?

[@allenpaley]

9:30 Egg peg

[@Loungemermaid]

I think I put my strings on wrong at first and now they’re all bent and wavy. Have I ruined these strings?

[@thelionneverroars1570]

Not unless there is a visible dent or break in the winding of the metal. You can still put them on the instrument, but you might need the help of pliers to gently straighten the ends of the strings to go through the pegs. The strings are still usable, however there will be a loss in the quality of sound, but that occurs every time strings are taken off and put back on.

[@TheFirstAssEater]

how to tune your violin / viola right away 14:48 =length of vid

[@jacksbee8809]

So you don’t just burn the viola?

[@simpleart5620]

my violin is really out of tune.my a string is so loosen

[@chakaling]

Now TwoSet Violin has spin-offs. Great!

[@dentakuweb]

Actually Olaf has been making KZbin videos for many years but it is true that he's much better known now that TwoSet have made videos with him and he's been posting much more since then. The "how to change a violin string" video he mentioned was from 8 years ago.

[@jedachao4063]

Hi Olaf :) I just want to ask something :)

[@jedachao4063]

Can you give me a violin? I just dreamed of having and playing a violin since I was 6. Now I'm 13 but I still want one. My parents said it's just a waste of money. But I' m still looking forward to own one but I don't have money. Thx for the lessons and Videos you shared and still sharing to us Olaf! I specially love when TwoSet is with you

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

@@jedachao4063 Definitely no wast of money... You should show them this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGGtfHaPj52bpMk ... tell them it will help you become much better at school 😀 In the mean time, I will look into what I can do to help you out... I'll reply to the pm you sent me on facebook. Definitely keep up the hope! If you love something, keep your dream. At some stage in your life you will be able to do it.

[@jedachao4063]

[@jedachao4063]

Thank you Olaf :)

[@kevinvanhove5834]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Good guy Olaf, this is why we love you mate

[@ericr6816]

I always wonder if that wig was made from years of leftover bow hair.

[@febrizkimawikere229]

by this comment is made. this video stills at 0 dislikes

[@Rahul-xz1nb]

A Viola in tune? I've never heard of such a thing.

[@karalee66]

Well, I have been tuning for about 15 years and playing for 20. I didn't know that was to proper way to move the bridge. Not going to do it though, I'd be terrified. my violin is too precious.

[@joestevenson5568]

I find the difference between how classical and contemporary musicians treat their instruments hilarious. People will buy a $2000 guitar and take a router to it whilst others won’t setup the bridge on their $600 violin.

[@brattingprincess]

I have made cracks doing so.. Thrice. Now I know they MUST be repaired

[@TaeThei]

But Olaf... Im not Eddy T___T

[@cellokid5104]

How is this even a thing, how can you learn a string instrument without knowing how to tune it? No offense, but I have to tune my cello EVERYDAY before playing. How is it possible to play if your instrument is only tuned once a week? I did it so much, that I knew how to tune my instrument by ear after 3 weeks.

[@sherrylhenning5630]

How to learn to tune a violin.....Step 1: Learn to properly tune a guitar. Its easier!

[@embracethesuck1041]

There's a viola joke in here somewhere.......

[@fnersch3367]

Cant tune, pegs slip.

[@brattingprincess]

Is your instrument above 300USD?

[@leofreitasa9933]

Wait you aren't supposed to tune a Viola

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

Violas can't be tuned smh